Electric switch and outlet box.



A. H. KLING.

ELECTRIC SWITGH AND OUTLET BOX.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.16, 1908.

935,915; Patented 0013.5,1909.

witn'zsszsz v a 3B E y ALLHA H. KLING, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND OUTLET BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

Application filed April 16, 1908. Serial No. 427,514.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHA H. Klimt a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switch and Outlet Boxes, of which the'following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric switch and outlet boxes to be used both for old and new wiring, and has for its object to obtain a suitable box which can be extended to ac commodate any variable number of switches, fuse blocks, or other appliances. It is my purpose to provide such extensible box by building up from, and by use of a single unit. I am aware that heretofore this object has been attained by the use of the origi' nal or unit member, together with auxiliary, or spacer members. carrying in stock of a larger number of pieces, involving a greater expenditure of money and also of time in the construction of the boxes.

It is the further object of my invention to provide a box which can easily be adjusted for different kinds of work which necessitate the boxbeing placed at a greater or less distance in the wall.

These objects I attain by the mechanism and construction hereinafter specifically described, and shown in the annexed drawings which constitute a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of my units, showing the ears for attaching either the end plates or other units. Fig. 2 is a view of one of my interchangeable end plates. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a box built up of two similar units, showing the means of uniting the same and of securing the end plate. Fig. i is one View of my adjustable lug for attaching the box to the wall or other surface. I

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the drawing.

A is a U-shapedunit of sheet metal, or other similar material, which constitutes the bottom and sides of a completed box. This member is provided at the edges of the side pieces with the ears C and C at right angles to said sides. The ears marked C diagonally opposite from each other have threaded eyes for the reception of-screws N, while the remaining ears C are provided with slightly larger and plain openings. The upper edge of the U-shaped member A is provided with This necessitates the the openings in the ears C.

served that a completed box, exclusive of the lugs J as a means of securing within the box the switches, fuse blocks, or other appliances. The sides and also the bottom of the unit A are provided with the plugged openings M, which are preferably made by stamping out a circular or other shaped piece of metal and then swaging the same in the opening, so as to be removed by the workman as desired. This can readily be accomplished by a slight blow with a hammer.

Adjustably attached to the sides of the unit A. are the lugs E. These consist of a. main flattened portion, which fits against the sides of the unit, and the flanges or cars I at the upper end. of the lug is also provided with the slots F, G and H. These lugs are fastened to, the unit by means of the screw K. Attached to the outer surface of the unit A are the two elerations L, which are preferablymade by stamping out a portion of the sheet metal from which the unit is made. \Vhen the lug E is in its upper position the screw K is in the lower slot Gr and the upper lug or elevation L serves as a guide for the upper slot F. lVhen it is desired to place the lug E farther down upon the unit, the screw K is placed in the upper slot while the lower slot registers with and is guided by the lower elevation L. The purpose of the slot H at right angles to and opening into the lower slot G is to enable the lug E to be shifted from the one position to another without entirely removing the screw K If a single unit box is desired, two similar end plates B are attached to the unit A by means of screws through the holes D and into the threaded ears C. At the points D of the end plates are the slight elevations on the interior surface which register with It will be ohthe attaching lugs, has but two difierent members.

Where a box of greater length than a single unit is desired, two or more U-sha ed members A are placed contiguous so t lat the threaded ears C upon one member will register with the plain ears C of the adjacent member. These members are then attached by means of screws. If desired, rivets or any other means of securing may be employed without departing from the intended scope of my invention. \Vhen a box of the desired length has been built up The flattened portion.

by attaching together two or more members, the two end plates are secured imposition as above described, many of the lugs 'E may be employed as desired. The end plates B are also provided with one or more knock outplugs as it. is often rous' of-admitting conduits and the like from different directions.

The unit A may be constructed in a different shape from the one shown and described, and there may also be a greater or .less number of the ears C and C. The ears by which the units are attached togetheranay if desired all be made plain and secured by means of riveting. )ther methods of joining these units may also be employed. Any number of lugs J and also of the adjustable lugs l9 may be employed as desired. These may also be secured to theendplates as "well asto the sides of the unit.

, l-l avmg thus deseribedxmy nvention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pateat is:

1. In an electricswitch and out-let box i t-hc combination with two or more similar units: of ears extending inwardly at right angles to the sides of said units and integral thercw'itlnot screws or other suitable me ns for securing together said ears, of

In. a multiple box as interchangeable end plates, said end plates and units having knock out plugs, of two or more adjustable lugs secured to the sides of the box and ear members upon the upper edge of the sides, substantially as described. 2. In an electric switch and outlet box, a multiple box consisting of the combination of two or more duplicate units having ears projecting inwardly at right angleszfrom the edge of said units said ears being provided with openings therethrough, of screws or other suitable means for t'astening'together the units through the openings in said ears, of interchangeable end plates atthchable tothe open end of the multiple box by screws or similar means, said end plates and the U-shaped units-having knock out plugs, of two or more adjustable lugs secured to therside of the box and outwardly projectingear members 'uponthe upper edge of the sides, substantially as described. a In witness whereof, I have' s1gned my nametothis specification in the presence of two, subscribing witnesses. v

ALPHA H. mime;

l l itnesses I DAVID" N. I'll-turme- EDITH (I. Tiumrsox. 

